Azzy raised a seventh finger.
"Seventh," he said, "the battle ends when one is either not in a situation to continue or voluntarily admits defeat."
His gaze sharpened.
"Killing is not acceptable," Azzy said. "Neither is suicide."
The air turned colder.
"And if the referee or one of us stops the match," he continued, "because we believe death is going to occur, then the remaining seven clan leaders not involved in that battle will vote for the winner."
A clean solution.
But also political.
Everyone understood that too.
Azzy raised an eighth finger.
"Eighth," he said, "there are no restrictions on using external weapons, armor, and accessories to protect yourself or increase your output."
Some rookies relaxed.
Some mentors nodded.
But then Azzy's eyes narrowed slightly.
"However," he continued, "no pre-activated skill cards, healing cards, or soul-energy recovery cards are allowed."
The words struck harder.
